Leach Eager For Shot At Redemption

Uf Kicker Exemplifies Special Teams' Mindset

GAINESVILLE — As soon as the ball left Matt Leach's foot and sailed wide right last season against Miami, Florida's special teams began to unravel.

That the missed field-goal attempt took place less than four minutes into the game tells you just how bad things went. The botched 38-yard attempt set a tone, a bad one.

"When you make those, it deflates the other team," Leach said Tuesday. "Now if you miss an opportunity like that, it has the opposite effect."

There seemingly was a carryover effect for the whole season, for the missed field goal was one of many mistakes by UF's horrible special teams last season. In this season's opener, at least, coach Ron Zook seemed to have things corrected.

Last season Florida was 11th in the SEC in field-goal accuracy and last in the league in extra-point accuracy. Against San Jose State, Leach made all three of his field-goal attempts, from 20, 37 and 37 yards, and all eight of his extra-point attempts.

Last season Leach also missed an extra-point attempt against Miami. But he said he's a different kicker now.

"This year I don't feel pressure," Leach said. "I've known that I have the ability to kick the ball, but my mindset is a lot different this year.

"I have a lot more confidence. The coaches have a lot more confidence in me. That's much better than just having the physical ability."

Zook's reputation as a special-teams guru took a hit last season. The Gators always have top-notch athletes, which made last season's blunders baffling. UF was 12th in the SEC in punting, seventh in the league in punt return average and 11th in the league in kickoff returns.

Freshman Eric Wilbur was signed to punt, and he averaged 40 yards on three attempts in the opener. Last season quarterback Ingle Martin was the punter most of the season.

"Yeah, I watched Ingle," Wilbur said. "They were in a tough situation. People just weren't getting the job done that they needed to. They were in a slump."

The return and punt-block teams look better, too.

Keiwan Ratliff had six punt returns for 110 yards, and a blocked punt helped Florida score its first touchdown in its rout of San Jose State.

"We looked great compared to last year," Ratliff said. "Last year we had a lot of downfalls on special teams. We're just trying to make plays to put our offense in the best situations to win football games."

Zook is worried about his coverage teams because UM has talented return men.

"They've got guys that take it to the house," Zook said. "We're concerned."

But he isn't as concerned about his kicker and punter. Last season Miami had seniors at kicker and punter. This season the Hurricanes have freshmen at both.

So, what if Florida overcomes odds and has the chance to win with a field goal?

"I'd love to be the person to have it all on my shoulders," Leach said. "I'm going to say I'd make the kick.